The doctor saw at first glance that this admission would not be difficult to obtain.

Jacques, who did not suspect his condition, was on the way to rejoin Francine.
As he could still move about, Jacques begged the superintendent of the hospital to let him have a little unused room, and he had a stand, some tools, and some modelling clay brought there.

During the first fortnight he worked at the figure he intended for Francine's grave.

It was an angel with outspread wings.

This figure, which was Francine's portrait, was never quite finished, for Jacques could soon no longer mount the stairs, and in short time could not leave his bed.
One day the order book fell into his hands, and seeing the things prescribed for himself, he understood that he was lost.